The decision to make European Epilepsy Day an annual event brings a welcome boost in profile to like-minded organisations across the continent, but the economic challenges Brainwave faces at home are immense, explains Paul. “The biggest challenge for us in facing cuts is how we maintain a level of service. People can often be isolated. We have to try get out there into the community to run these events and they all cost money.”

Niamh has noticed a particular surge in demand in Munster over the last year. “We’re getting far more calls about whether there are other entitlements. For some, to even pay for petrol to come from country areas is a hardship. We have been curtailed ourselves, but we try to meet them half-way and be more innovative in what we are doing.”

Stigma is at least one obstacle we can impose our own cuts on, and it starts with debunking the myths, says Paul. “For many what bugs them is wondering how people will react. Minds conjure up convulsions and people falling down. All kind of horrors come into their thoughts. But there’s nothing wrong with the person, it’s just a condition they have. If somebody discloses, ask what it means for them and help them understand what support you can offer. Stop and think before you go off into the realms of the imagination.”

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Colin Jones - UCC Graduate

Bishopstown native Colin Jones is a 24 year-old UCC Commerce and Business Economics graduate. He has enjoyed college life, lived it up in San Diego on the J1, and last Sunday he drove to Kilkenny to catch magician Keith Barry’s latest show. His second home is Bishopstown GAA Club. Like a growing number, Ireland’s financial woes have him working hard to afford a return to college to retrain. None of this would be unusual except Colin has epilepsy, a fact that often causes society to assume that everyday actions become impossible.

Colin’s first seizure was at 14 during a trip to Irish college, normally a rite of passage for Irish teens. “Basically I woke up in intensive care and from there on I was diagnosed.” Colin is relentlessly upbeat, with a keen sense of humour about a condition so often misunderstood. “At first I couldn’t even sleep in my own bed because I’d roll out and give myself carpet burn!”

Medication made life difficult initially, with extreme tiredness interfering with his schoolwork and training, but he now considers himself to have a perfectly normal life, challenging the stereotype often pushed on those with epilepsy. “People do have a lot of misinformation. One of the big things I always hear is ‘Oh you can’t go into a nightclub because of the lights’, the assumption being all people with epilepsy are photosensitive – only 3-5% are. It’s different for everybody.”

Just getting on with life has helped Colin thrive. “Just get into whatever activity you can. Obviously not everyone is going to be able to do something very physical, but something social that suits your needs. You can surround yourself with people who will understand.”

Niamh Hegarty - 2fm/2XM DJ

27-year old Niamh Hegarty has come a long way from her days as a DJ in Tuckey St.’s now defunct Quad Bar. Hailing from Deerpark in Cork, she works with digital radio station 2XM, a sister station of 2fm, presenting New Noise on Friday and Saturday nights. “When I was fifteen, I woke up one morning with my body shaking uncontrollably. This went on for a few months and eventually my doctor just told me I was a hypochondriac and that it was probably nervous tension. When I was finally diagnosed at twenty, it was a huge weight off my shoulders to realise it was absolutely treatable and manageable.”

When it comes to work, Niamh has had an overwhelmingly positive experience from employers RTÉ. Previous bosses have not always been so empathetic however. “There have been a few jobs where managers have not been very understanding, where they’ve tried to gently push me out of the company.”

She is quite philosophical about having epilepsy. “I don’t feel like I’m sick more often than my colleagues or that it interferes with my life. For me, raising awareness on what to do if somebody has a seizure is important. I guess it is scary to watch somebody have one, but I think if people know what to do they won’t feel like this.”

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For further information contact Brainwave Cork on 021 – 4274774 or see www.epilepsy.ie